>>Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara Resigns Over Sexual Relationship Investigation
(Minneapolis, MN) — Brian O’Hara is no longer the chief of the Minneapolis Police Department. Mayor Jacob Frey says O’Hara resigned Tuesday for interfering with an investigation into an alleged sexual relationship with a subordinate. Frey said at a news conference last night, “The interference itself is a breach of trust. Because of that, I informed the chief that I would be disciplining him up to and including discharge and he resigned.” Frey says he’s grateful for O’Hara’s work but would not have renominated him if he had known earlier about substantiated claims of a sexual relationship with an employee. Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell will serve as an interim chief.
>>Governor Walz Signs Children Social Media Protections into Law
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz signed new social media protections for children into law. The new protections include limiting addictive platform features, strengthening privacy safeguards, and increasing parental controls. This amends the legislation called Stop Harms From Addictive Social Media (SHASM) and requires social media companies to obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing children under 16 to create or maintain accounts. It also mandates that child accounts default to the highest privacy settings and provides parents with tools to monitor and limit their child’s usage.
>>Immigration Advocates to Rally at State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Immigration advocates are expected at the State Capitol today (Wed ) to demand Governor Walz brings forward new protections against federal immigration officials. The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) is organizing today’s event outside Governor Walz’s office. The group says they will leave bunny hats in honor of five-year-old Liam Ramos of Columbia Heights, who was taken along with his father to a federal detention center in Texas. The group is bringing a list of demands including protections at safe places like schools, hospitals and places of worship, keep ICE off state property, and provide justice for all victims.
>>Craig to Officially File for US Senate Wednesday
(St. Paul, MN) — Congresswoman Angie Craig will officially file to run for the U-S Senate this afternoon (Wed) in St. Paul. The 2nd District Democrat hopes to win the seat of retiring U-S Senator Tina Smith in November. Craig is competing against Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for the D-F-L Senate nomination. Her campaign says Craig continues to build momentum for the August 11th primary.
>>St. Paul Awarded $41 Million to Replace Lead Service Lines
(St. Paul, MN) — The City of St. Paul is getting nearly 41 million dollars in grants and loans to replace lead service water lines. The funding was awarded through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority’s Lead Service Line Replacement program. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says it will be used to replaced more than 21 hundred service lines that can leach into drinking water and threaten the health of residents.
>>Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order on Data Center in Pine Island
(Pine Island, MN) — A Goodhue County judge is temporarily blocking the development of Google data center project in Pine Island. The order comes after the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy sued Pine Island and developer Ryan Companies to stop Project Skyway, arguing it did not receive an adequate environmental impact study. The Pine Island City Council approved a conditional use permit for the site in January. Similar lawsuits have been filed to block data center projects in Lakeville, Hermantown, Monticello, and Faribault.
>>Drug Suspect Escapes on Foot Following Carlton County Traffic Stop
(Carlton, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are looking for a drug suspect that fled from a traffic stop Monday night in Carlton County. Deputies stopped the vehicle in Thomson Township and determined further narcotics investigation was warranted. The report says the suspect vehicle drove off when the Fond du Lac Police Department’s K-9 Unit arrived. The man abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot following the pursuit. He got away but officers found a baseball-sized bag of drugs near the scene. The suspect has yet to be arrested.
>>Man Injured in Dirtbike Accident in St. Louis County
(Wuori Township, MN) — An Iron Range man is recovering from injuries suffered in a dirtbike accident Tuesday afternoon in rural St. Louis County. Deputies say the the rider suffered a deep cut to his hand along with minor abrasions to his back and shoulder. Because of the remote location, rescue crews used A-T-Vs to reach the scene and transport the man to a waiting ambulance. He was taken to a hospital in Virginia for treatment.
>>New DNR Electronic Licensing System Launching June 9th
(Undated) — The Minnesota D-N-R is rolling out a new electronic licensing system starting June 9th, giving hunters and anglers more ways to buy their licenses. Officials say the upgrade replaces a 25-year-old system and responds to years of feedback, including demand for online options and a mobile app. Fish and Wildlife Division Director Kelly Straka says users will be able to store licenses right on their phones, making access easier in the field. In-person purchases at local shops, bait stores, and gas stations will still be available.
